Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection,
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection,
- Date
- 1915-1925 (inclusive)
- Creator
- Ulmann, Doris, 1882-1934
- Extent
- 3.5 cu. ft. (6 Boxes): 202 items
- Subjects
- Mountain whites (Southern States)--Pictorial works
- Ulmann, Doris, d. 1934
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Doris Ulmann, born in New York City in 1882, was the daughter of wealthy German immigrants. In 1900 she enrolled in New York's Ethical Culture School in New York and her photographic work became widely respected. Few individuals denied her request for a sitting. Her New York subjects included many intellectual and literary leaders such as Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sinclair Lewis, Albert Einstein, Paul Robeson, and Thomas Wolfe. Despite her work with the upper echelon of New York, her interest in the individual citizen was not lost. Intensely interested in the preservation of rapidly changing and even disappearing cultures, Ulmann made many trips to photograph the Gullah people of South Carolina; the Melungeons, African-Americans, Cajuns, and whites throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana and North Carolina. Much of her time was spent in Eastern Kentucky photographing individuals in Letcher, Perry, and Knott counties among others. Some of her subjects were individuals who later became known for their craftsmanship, or musicianship, such as the Ritchie family of Viper, Kentucky.
- Scope and Content
- The Doris Ulmann Photographic Collection, 1915-1925 consists of three different photographic collections totaling 202 unique items received by the library in 1970, 1978, and 1996 respectively.
- Collection PA70M1 consists of 16 original, signed portraits by Ulmann of mountain whites photographed in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections.
- Collection 78PA101 consists of 32 original, signed silver gelatin prints by Ulmann. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections.
- Collection 98PA101 consists of 154 original, signed silver gelatin prints by Ulmann. There is no attached manuscript collection in the Special Collections.
- The 202 images represented on this site are digital surrogates of accessioned photographs housed in the Audio-Visual Archives of University of Kentucky. Text accompanying these images were derived from staff inventory descriptions of the photographs.
Contents of the Collection
PA70M1
This collection consists of 16 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann. It is housed in one box.
Items 001-016
Young girl holding a younger girl who is holding two bouquets of flowers
Elderly, bearded man in hat and coat, seated in chair
Elderly, bearded man in hat, glasses, and shirt, seated in front of water tank
Elderly, bearded man in hat, glasses, and shirt, seated beside water tank with spigot showing
Head shot of elderly man with short beard, suit, and tie
Elderly man with short beard, suit, and tie, seated in chair, writing in small book with pen
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran,d. May 1928, standing behind fence SAME AS 78PA101 #28
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928, bearded man in polka-dot shirt, seated in chair, smoking pipe SAME AS 78PA101 #29
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Bearded man in polka-dot shirt, seated in chair, holding pipe
Elderly man with mustache, in hat, suit, and tie, seated with book
Head shot of elderly man with mustache, in hat, suit, and tie
Elderly man in hat, mustache, suit, and tie, seated with book and cane
Elderly man with mustache, in hat, suit, and tie, seated in chair with book, looking down
Elderly man with mustache, in hat, suit, and tie, seated with cane
Elderly, bearded man in hat and overalls, seated with cane
Covey Odhom, Tanner, Luther, Tennessee. Elderly man with mustache, in hat and suit, seated in corner, whittling
78PA101
This collection consists of 32 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann. It is housed in one box.
Items 001-032
Miss Sarah Connelly; Weaver, Spinner; Brasstown, North Carolina. Elderly woman seated in chair, with quilt hanging in background
Hannah Smith; Spinner, weaver, singer; Brasstown, North Carolina. Elderly woman seated in chair, wearing cameo, arms crossed
Roberts, Elizabeth Madox. Woman seated, holding paper
Roberts, Elizabeth Madox. Woman seated in chair
Miss Roselie Pless; Russelville, Tennessee. Woman in apron, seated at loom
Aunt Didie Netherly; Lacemaker, weaver; Grassy Valley, Tennessee. Elderly woman in bonnet, seated, making lace
Lydia Ramsey; Sugarlands. Elderly woman in hat, necklace, and dress, seated with flowers
Mrs. Johnston; Singer; Brasstown, North Carolina. Elderly woman seated on porch, holding pot. Farmer's wife.
Old Man Miller; Wood Carver; Pine Log, North Carolina. Elderly, bearded man in hat, coat, and ragged pants SAME AS 96PA100 #316
John Jacob Niles. Elderly man in hat, coat, and overalls, and younger man (JJN) in hat and vest, taking notes
John Jacob Niles seated with older man, holding dulcimer. JJN with Mr. Ritchie, Viper, Kentucky. He was father of a large family, inc. folksinger Jean Ritchie.
Elderly, bearded man in hat and coat, seated with cane
Elderly, bearded man in hat, seated with legs crossed and hands clasped around knee
Elderly, bearded man in hat, glasses, ragged shirt, and overalls, seated, holding rolled-up newspaper; broom leaning against wall
Elderly, bearded man in hat and suit, seated with small book
Elderly, bearded man in hat, glasses, coat, and overalls, seated with broomstick?
Bristol Taylor; Dulcimers, Farmer, Poet; Berea, Kentucky. Man in overalls, seated in homemade chair, holding block of wood and carving tool?
Mr. Bryant; Brasstown, North Carolina. Man in coat and tie, seated with fiddle
John Menders; Father of Cheevars; Cleveland, Georgia. Elderly, bearded man in hat and suspenders, seated with big stick
Christopher Lewis; Preacher; Wooton, Kentucky. Elderly, bearded man in suspenders, seated with book
Unidentified Portrait. Elderly man with mustache, in hat and suit, seated in chair outside
Henderson Mullins; Puncheon Creek Camp, Kentucky. Elderly man in glasses, working at "boom and treadle lathe
John B. Shell; Pine Mountains, Kentucky. Elderly, bearded man in hat and patched pants, seated in chair in front of doorway; coal bucket? sitting in front of him
Elderly, bearded man in hat and coat, seated with book
Preacher. Man in hat, glasses, bowtie, and suit, standing with case under arm
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Elderly, bearded man in polka-dot shirt, standing in front of gate, holding pipe
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Head shot of elderly, bearded man in polka-dot shirt
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Elderly, bearded man in polka-dot shirt, standing behind fence SAME AS PA70M1 #7
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Elderly, bearded man in polka-dot shirt, seated in chair, smoking"pipe SAME AS PA70M1 #8
Nick Barton, Civil War veteran, d. May 1928. Profile of elderly, bearded man in polka-dot shirt, seated in chair, holding hatchet
Unidentified Landscape. From Dr. McVey's Files. January 1953. Dirt road, winding between house and barn
Unidentified Landscape. From Dr. McVey's Files. January 1953. Trees in the forest
96PA104
This collection consists of 154 original, signed prints by Doris Ulmann.
Items 001-154
2-story porch with flower pots, Charleston, SC
House with porch and columns, with trees and Spanish moss against sky
Salem. House with ladder and picket fence
Churchill Weavers [illegible] Berea Ky. Building with small, shuttered window, surrounded by trees and bushes
Small building (house?) with large tree leaning over it
Cemetery scene with vine growing on top of mausoleum, and wall of crypts in background
Brick wall and gate, with tree branch in foreground; [on back] "Large pinhole got in Louisville, KY.
Arched brick doorway with partially open door and vines growing on wall
Brick and stone building with two arched wooden doors, tiled roof, and gate
Brick and stone building with iron gate and window boxes
Brick and stone building with tiled roof, planters on windowsills, and iron gate, flying American flag
Monastery gate, South Carolina. Stone wall and iron gate with sidewalk in front
Three-story stone building with porches and columns, palm tree in foreground
Archway of building with palm trees
Ivy growing on walls, with large stone building in background
Tree against sky, with dome and cupola of building in background
Evelyn Necarsulmer, 1916. Girl with headband, standing in front of evergreen tree, holding leaves and looking down at them
Girl in ringlets, ribbon, and dress, standing in front of tree
Close-up of girl in ringlets and dress, looking over shoulder, hands together
Head shot of girl with short hair
Girl in necklace and dress, seated in chair, holding flower
Girl kneeling behind bushes
Three children, one carrying books, standing with two women (teachers?)
Children at Play" Two girls and a boy in winter coats and hats, girls seated with boy looking over their shoulders
Barefoot boy and girl standing behind woman and three men in doorway with bags of cotton
The Orphan ". Back view of small, barefoot child leaning over barrel in front of junk pile, brick building, and stairs
Small child seated in chair on porch with broom, hat, and hanging plants against wall
Small, curly-haired child standing in front of drape with shadows of leaves across it
Pamela Luther Flynn Pitman Center. Girl with crossbow
Back view of boy in hat and overalls, aiming homemade bow and arrow, with tree in background
Profile of boy in hat digging in sand on the edge of water, with sailboat beside him. 1918-1921.
The New Boat" 1918 Boy in hat squatting on bank, with boy in water holding sailboat
Two boys with squashes
Sag Harbor, Long Island. Sand dunes with ocean in background
Waterfall with rock cliffs and overhanging trees
Winter scene with river, snow-covered banks, trees, and bridge in background
Central Park, Rock formation surrounded by tall trees. [on back] "This is the famous rock I watched for 2 hours until the sun was exactly right."
Central Park, Rock formation surrounded by tall trees. [on back] "This is another view of the bloody rock.
Long Island Sound. Tree against sky, rock wall, and field with body of water in background. [on back] "L. Island Sound from south shore" [J.J. Niles' handwriting].
Tall trees, stone wall, and wooden fence, with fields in background
Madison County, KY. Small flowering tree (magnolia) surrounded by larger trees
Still life of bowl with roses on windowsill, and tree against sky
Still life of irises sticking out of metal column
Still life of flower with large leaves against coarse material
Weathered buildings on wharf, with barrels in front and masts of ships showing in background
Weathered buildings with barrels in front
Wharf at low tide with boats docked in foreground and town in background
The Old Wharf, Gloucester, Massachusetts" Weathered building with open doorway on edge of wharf with ladder going into water
Damaged print of 96PA104 #48
Weatherstained" View across water of wharf with old buildings and part of boat in foreground
Gloucester, MA. Boats with wharf and old buildings in background
Gloucester, Massachusetts" Boats tied, with wharf and old buildings in background
Boats in harbor with wharf and buildings in background
Low Tide" Bow of ship beside wharf with old building
Front of ship with carvings beside wharf at low tide with town in background
Head-on view of ship with carvings on the front in harbor
Boom of boat, with lines
Masts" Masts of ships outlined against sky
South Carolina. Rowboat, baskets, jug, and coils of rope sitting in shed
Barrel suspended on hook with boy steadying it and ships in background
Man in hat, apron, rolled-up sleeves, and gloves standing over table, cleaning fish
The Fisherman" Man in hat and suspenders, standing on boat, beside barrel, with wharf in background
Profile of man in hat and suspenders, seated with ships in background
Man with mustache, in hat and striped shirt, behind barrel with lines running into it
Man with mustache and hat, kneeling beside barrel with lines running into it
Man with mustache, in hat, ragged pants, and boots, seated with mug on a barrel beside him
Drying Nets" Nets hanging up to dry, with shadows on the ground below
John Jacob Niles, in suit and tie, playing piano, looking down. 1932-1933.
Man in glasses, lab coat, vest, and tie, standing in lab with metronome and other apparatus, holding reagent bottle
Man in hat and coat, holding long handle, leaning against wall with harness hanging from it
The Cooper of Gloucester" Man with mustache, hat, rolled-up sleeves, suspenders, and apron, standing in doorway beside barrels.
One man pulling and several others pushing wagon with large spool, with building and doorway in background
Black man in hat and overalls, holding net, standing in boat on small waterway surrounded by tall grass. South Carolina, ca. 1929-31.
Elderly man with hat and pipe, seated on dock, fishing
Charleston, SC. Man with whip, driving team through field, with large tree in background
Farmer with Scythe" Profile of elderly man with mustache and suspenders, leaning on long handle of scythe, surrounded by plants
Elderly man with hat and pipe, sitting on bench beside log cabin and overturned wheelbarrow
Restful Moment" Elderly man with mustache and tie, standing on path with tree and plants in background, leaning on handle of spade
Sacred image carver, New Orleans, LA" Man in overalls, standing beside statue of St. Francis. 1931
Bybee Corneilson KY. Man with glasses, apron, and rolled-up sleeves, standing in pottery shop, making large pot
Mrs. C. D. Hood [or Wood], Dalton La. Elderly woman in glasses and dress, seated at table with pencil and T-square, with quilt in background
Aunt C. Ritchie; Basket-maker, Hindman, KY; Elderly woman in dress and necklace, seated in chair, making basket with baskets beside her
Mrs. Lucy Lakes, Hands of elderly woman making seat of chair
Three dancers in classical garb, holding flowers, ascending steps with curtain in background
Dancers in Company" Five dancers in classical garb, ascending steps with their backs to camera and curtain in background
Allen Eaton; Head shot of man in coat with chin resting on hand
Head shot of man in coat and tie
Dr. Royal Whitman; Profile/head shot of man in coat and tie
Dr. Abraham Jacobi, Professor of Children's Diseases, The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University in the city of New York, 1916. Head shot of elderly, bearded man with mustache.
Frederick Villers; Man with mustache, in coat and tie, seated with glasses and book
Head shot of man with mustache, in coat and tie
Richard Berry Harrison; Elderly man in suit and bow tie, seated in large chair, looking down
Richard Berry Harrison. Elderly man in suit and tie, seated in a casual pose
Elderly man in glasses and coat, seated with hat and cane
Elderly man in glasses and coat, seated with cane
Sewell Haggard, editor of "Everybody's"; Man in glasses, suit, and tie, seated in chair
Sewell Haggard, editor of "Everybody's"; Man in glasses, suit, and tie, seated in chair
Elderly man with mustache, in suit and bow tie, sitting on sofa with hat beside him and pictures hanging on the wall
Man with mustache, in Scottish garb with kilt, standing in front of wood paneled doorway
Max Weber, Ulmann's Art and Design teacher at the Clarence H. White School of Photography, New York City, 1917. Head shot of man (artist) in coat and tie, seated in chair
Man in coat and tie, seated with art supplies
Charles R. Lamb; Head shot of bearded man with mustache, in suit and striped tie
Charles R. Lamb; Bearded man with mustache, in suit and striped tie, seated in large chair with one hand in pocket and chin resting on other hand
Charles R. Lamb; Bearded man with mustache, in shirt and pants, seated with hands clasped around knee, with plant in background
Charles R. Lamb; Bearded man with mustache, in shirt and pants, seated on bench
Black man in hat, shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and patched pants, leaning against wall of brick building
Young black man in hat, coat, patched pants, and boots, seated on trunk with basket beside it. 1917.
Elderly, bearded man with mustache, in overalls, seated, holding hat, with cotton piled behind him
Elderly black man with mustache, in ragged coat, seated behind wooden rail, with hands on rail
Bearded black man in hat and vest, standing with hands on post, in front of wooden building with draft horse bridle hanging on peg
Three men in hats and coats, seated around table, playing checkers, with other men in background
The Dock Hand" Elderly man with mustache, in hat, coat, and overalls, seated in front of wooden building, holding pipe
Elderly man in ragged hat, sweater, and overalls, leaning against barrel, smoking pipe with barrel beside him and beams in background
Elderly man with mustache and suspenders, leaning against wall with window, holding pipe, with other hand in pocket
Lawrence Abbott, editor of "The Outlook"; Elderly, bearded man with glasses and mustache, in suit and tie, seated with book and pen or pencil
Lawrence Abbott, editor of "The Outlook"; Elderly, bearded man with glasses and mustache, in suit and tie, seated with book and pen or pencil
Frank McVey, President UK; Man in tie and suit with handkerchief, seated outside in chair, holding paintbrush or pen
Elderly man in glasses, tie, and suit with handkerchief, standing with elbow leaning on back of chair
Elderly man with sideburns, in suit and tie with glasses hanging from chain, seated on sofa with pictures hanging behind it
Russell Hibbs, Prof. of orthopedic surgery, Columbia. Elderly, bearded man in suit and tie, holding pipe, seated in chair with bookshelves in background
Frederick Villers. Head shot of elderly, bearded man in coat
Rabindrinath Tagore. Hindu Poet, Scholar, Artist, ca. 1920's. Head shot of elderly, bearded man with long hair
Elderly man with mustache, in hat, shirt, and tie, seated on fence, holding pipe and small pail, with trees in background
The Blacksmith" Head shot of man with mustache and suspenders
Head shot of man with mustache, in coat and polka-dot tie
Head shot of man in glasses, coat, and tie
Man with mustache, in suit and tie, seated, holding cigarette
Man in suit and tie, standing with pen and notepad, reading
Woman seated at desk with arms crossed and books, paper, and other objects on desk
Woman in glasses and white dress, standing behind branches of tree, with her hands on them
Woman in glasses and white dress, standing beside flowering shrub, touching a branch
Young woman with head turned to look at camera, seated in chair, with picture hanging in background
Woman in hat and velvet dress with lace collar and cuffs, standing in front of door, holding gloves
Ruth St. Denis; Woman in loose robe with large pendant, leaning against low wall, with head tilted back
Lillian Gish; Woman with long hair, in lacy costume, seated, leaning on post
Profile of woman in lace hat, full dress, and gloves, sitting on rocks
Young woman in bonnet and dress, holding flowers, standing on steps surrounded by plants, with birdhouse in background
On the Mounting Block" Young woman in bonnet and dress, standing behind railing surrounded by plants, with birdhouse in background
Woman in lace shawl and mantilla, seated beside plant in basket, holding book. Ca. 1918-25.
Head shot of woman in mantilla. Ca. 1918-25.
The Quaker" Head shot of Quaker woman in white bonnet and dark dress
Young woman in Dutch costume, standing in front of open window, with bag hanging on her arm
Elderly black woman in blouse and skirt, seated
Black woman in turban and dress, seated against wood building, holding long wooden handle
Elderly woman in blouse and skirt, seated in chair, with bookshelf and table with books and hat in the background
Elderly Native American woman with blanket draped over her shoulders, seated with basket handle showing
Della S. Cossnell; Woman in long dress and bonnet, seated in chair, tatting gloves
Mother of Sarah Blanding, of SC. Head shot of elderly woman in glasses and shawl, with hair piled on top of her head
Elderly woman in glasses, dress, and sweater, seated, holding potted plant in her lap
Aunt Lizzie Regan. Weaver, Gatlinburg, Tenn. Elderly woman in checked dress, her hair in a bun, seated in chair with fabric and scissors in her lap
Elderly woman in hat and dress with apron, seated in chair with sweater and yarn in her lap, knitting
Bowl with metal stand sitting on glass brick
Table with place setting, candlestick, and plant, with window in background
Stack of 3 books, with yarn and knitting needle
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
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No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
